Tension adjustment tool

ABSTRACT

A tension adjustment tool for use in a ski binding and employing a central handle having a thinner portion at one end adapted for lateral adjustment of a screw type tension adjuster, and a bracketed cuff mechanism swivelably mounted to the opposite end of the handle and adapted to be fit over a spring tensed collar, normally employed for holding a tension adjusting mechanism in conjunction with the release portion of a ski binding.

United States Patent [1 1 Dastoli, Sr.

Sept. 17, 1974 1 1 TENSION ADJUSTMENT TOOL [76] Inventor: Joseph Dastoli, Sr., 41 Martin St.,

Stamford, Conn. 06902 22 Filed: May 18, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 361,711

[52] US. Cl. 7/1 R, 280/11.37 T, 254/131 [51] Int. Cl B251 1/00 [58] Field of Search 7/1 R; 81/3 R; 254/131; 280/1 1.37 T

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,199,454 9/1916 Vries 254/131 1,342,773 6/1920 Slawinski 280/11.37 T

2,681,791 6/1954 Hahn 254/131 3,026,091 3/1962 Oaks 254/131 3,615,073 10/1971 Lickey 254/131 Primary Examiner-A1 Lawrence Smith Assistant ExaminerRoscoe V. Parker Attorney, Agent, or FirmKaufman & Kramer [5 7 ABSTRACT A tension adjustment tool for use in a ski binding and employing a central handle having a thinner portion at one end adapted for lateral adjustment of a screw type tension adjuster, and a bracketed cuff mechanism swive1ab1y mounted to the opposite end of the handle and adapted to be fit over a spring tensed collar, normally employed for holding a tension adjusting mechanism in conjunction with the release portion of a ski binding.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENIEB 3m fly. 1.

/ mil/11 MW L 1 .dulll hl.

TENSION ADJUSTMENT TOOL This invention relates to tools usable in conjunction with the adjustment of ski bindings and more particularly to a single tool implementing several functions for the adjustment and safe manipulation of a conventional tension control mechanism found in a great many quick release safety bindings currently used in the sport of skiing.

It is typical in the sport of skiing to provide quick release safety bindings which enable the wearer to release from the binding when placed in a stressful situation. Quick release may often mean the difference between a successful recovery from a fall, or injury. In conventional ski release equipment, the releasing mechanism is a spring, upon which tension may be easily adjusted. The adjustment of tension is accomplished either by means of a screwdriver adjustment, or by means of a plier or wrench adjustable mechanism. Often, tension on a single ski binding is adjusted by means of a combination of such mechanisms, requiring the use of several tools of varying sizes and shapes. It is however, quite cumbersome, particularly for the wearer of the binding, to adjust the ski binding for tension on site, particularly where the use of several different tools is required. Very often, a skier does not wish to be bothered by the cumbersome necessity of carrying several various tools for the adjustment of the tension of the binding as may be required. Particularly where a screwdriver and plier combination have been employed, it is unlikely that the average skier will wish to carry each of these individual tools on his person during ski exercise. Furthermore, although several attempts have been made in the prior art to combine screwdriver and a pair of pliers or a wrench into a single tool, the use of such combination has been manipulatively cumbersome, often defeating the very purpose for which they were designed.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a single unitary tool combining each of the features necessary to the total adjustment of a ski binding in a simple, convenient and economic manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel and unique adjustment tool for use with a ski binding which enables the operator to employ the tool easily and quickly without the cumbersome disadvantages usually inherent in such tool mechanisms.

The foregoing objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by the use of a unitary structure employing a central handle having a thinner portion at one end adapted for lateral adjustment of a screw type tension adjuster, and a bracketed cuff mechanism swivelably mounted to the opposite end of the handle and adapted to be fit over a spring tensed collar, normally employed for holding a tension adjusting mechanism in conjunction with the release portion of a ski binding.

The foregoing brief description objects and advantages as well as further aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following more detailed description of the present invention and dependent drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tool in its closed position,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tool in its open po sition,

FIG. 3 illustrates the use of the tool in conjunction with a ski binding, and

FIG. 4 is a detail of the operation of the tool as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 1, the adjustment tool contemplated by the present invention is illustrated. The tool includes a handle portion 10 including a swiveling bracket 12 rotatable in a counterclockwise direction over an arc of 270 to the position indicated in FIG. 2. The handle includes indented side walls 14 adapted to receive the inwardly protruding segments 16 defining the open cuff 18 which is located at the end of the swiveling bracket 12. The upper end of the handle includes a screw driving mechanism defined by an inner segment 20 indented into the handle in a lateral direction,

preferably on both sides. The handle and bracket may be made out of any suitable high impact plastic material or a metallic composition, or combination therof, of sufficient strength to withstand the spring tension to be applied thereto as will be described in connection with the ski binding embodiment cooperating therewith.

As shown in FIG. 1, the normal position of the tool is with the bracket swiveled up such that the indented wall portions 14 receive the inwardly protruding segments 16 of the open cuff 18, thereby allowing for a compact tool structure. When the tool is to be used, the swiveling'bracket 12 is placed into the position illustrated in FIG. 2 by rotating the bracket over a 270 arc, in a counterclockwise direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1 until the position in FIG. 2 is realized, about the pivot point 19.

The use of the tool in conjunction with a quick release safety binding will now be described. The particular ski binding illustrated is the heel segment of a commercially available unit known as the Look Nevada heel piece, distributed by the Beconta Corporation. It will be understood, however, that the tool may be used with other forms of bindings employing similar release mechanisms, or where similar mechanical leveraging may be utilized.

Thus, referring now to FIG. 3 a typical heel release is illustrated as mounted on a swivel plate 21 which is in turn coupled to the upper surface of a snow ski. The heel piece of the binding includes an up-standing back portion 22 including a wheel retainer 23 adapted to engage the rear portion of a ski boot. Tension in the heel piece is maintained by two distinct mechanisms. The first mechanism utilizes a spring located within the heel piece back portion 22 and is tension adjustable by means of rotation of the screw member 24 which is v threaded into the shaft formed by the upper opening of the heel piece 22.

sion is apparent. The upper portion of the tool handle 10 including the thin segment 20 is laterally positioned over the slotted portion of the screw 24and a rotating tension adjustment made thereby. The indentation portion of the thin segment 20 is arcuate, or more particularly semi-circular, as it has been found that the semicircular configuration provides maximum positive contact between the thinner segment 20 which is adapted to fit into the slotted portion of the screw 24 and the outer periphery of the screw 24. Since the tool is rotated in a lateral direction, with the handle 10 positioned orthogonally with respect to the long axis of the screw, greater leverage may be placed and correspond ingly larger torsional force applied to the screw 24 relative to the conventional method of using a vertically driven member such as a standard screwdriver. For this reason the tool may be relatively small and yet still apply a large amount of torsional force to the screw 24 and thereby enable a user to conveniently carry the tool in a small area and yet maintain adequate torsional force so that the tool itself is usable when applied as in dicated. The toe piece screw tension may be adjusted in the same manner as described above.

The heel mechanism includes a second tension adjustment. The second tension adjustment relates to the engaging member 23 and the force it applies to the rear of a ski boot which will be determined by the position of the toe piece which is relatively fixed with respect to the ski. Since the toe piece is fixed, lateral adjustment of the heel piece 23 in the direction of the arrow 23A will vary the amount of tension applied to the boot in a longitudinal direction. This tension is maintained by means of a spring mechanism positioned within the barrel shaft 26. In this case, tension is adjusted by rotating the concentrically arranged shaft member 28. The shaft member 28 is held in position on a side wall 30 mounted to the swivel plate 21. The side wall 30, illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 4, is engaged by means of the end piece of the shaft 28 which is formed with a curved segment 32 and an end cap 34. The end cap 34 has a larger diameter than the diameter of the shaft 28. The end cap 34 is inserted into a keyhole like aperture 36 positioned in the side wall 30. Access to the side wall keyhole 36 is provided by means of a laterally positionable collar 38. The collar 38 is maintained in position by a spring 40, the tension on which is in turn adjustable by means of a tension adjusting screw 42.

When it is desired to adjust the tension in the direction indicated by the arrow 23A, the collar 38 must be retracted against the tension of the spring 40 so as to allow the lower portion of the collar 38A, shown in FIG. 4, to clear the lower position of the keyhole 36.

On clearing the lower portion of the keyhole 36, the end cap 34 may be slid down into the end portion of the keyhole 36 which is designed to be slightly wider than the end cap 34, and thereby permit the end cap to be removed therefrom. Tension may now be adjusted by rotating the free end of the shaft 28 to the desired location. When the tension adjustment is completed, the end cap 34 is reinserted into the lower portion of the aperture 36 with the collar 38 in its retracted position. The end cap 34 is then pulled into the upper portion of the keyhole 36, the upper portion including a width segment narrower than the end cap but wider than the shaft 28. The collar 38 is then released and the lower portion of the collar 38A slides across a portion of the lower area of the keyhole 36, thereby preventing removal of the end cap 34. The foregoing operation normally requires a plier type mechanism for retracting the collar 38. The use of the present invention obviates this disadvantage. For this use, the tool of the present invention is used in the position illustrated in FIG. 2. The tool in this instance is placed, in its open position, down over the collar. In this case, the open cuff 18 slides over the side wall 30 in a position forward of the collar 38. The internal portion of the handle 45 is placed down and over the back portion 46 of the collar 38. The bandle may now be moved by placing pressure against the upper portion thereof in the direction indicated by the arrow 44. As a result, the holding pressure of the open cuff 18 against the front edge of the collar 38 will cause the collar to slide back against the tension of the spring 40 thereby permitting access to the lower portion of the keyhole 36 by the end cap 34. Upon removal of the shaft 28 from the side wall 30, the tension adjustment may be made by rotating the shaft 28. After tension adjustment is complete, the end cap portion 34 is reinserted into the keyhole 36 by repeating the operation of applying tension to the upper portion of the handle 10 in the direction of the arrow 44. In this position the end cap 34 may now be reinserted into the lower portion of the keyhole 36 and slid into the upper portion. The collar may then be released by releasing the tension on the handle so as to hold the end cap 34 in its proper position. The tool may then be removed from the side wall and placed on the other collar 38A for performing the same adjustment function on the other shaft adjust tension unit 26A and 28A. Upon completion of the operation, the tool may be returned to the compact position indicated in FIG. 1 and placed-in the pocket of the user.

Other. variations of the tool are possible. The screwdriver portion 20 on the upper part of the handle 10 may include a further screwdriving segment formed along the upper edge, orthogonally positioned with re spect to the indented segment 20. The handle may thus be employed or manipulated as a conventional screwdriver, in addition to its other functions. Furthermore, the handle 10 may be made thinner in its lateral direction, thereby eliminating the need for the indentations 14 to accomodate the inwardly protruding segments 16. In this case, the bracket 12 may be spaced from the side walls of the handle 10 along the swivel point 19. Although this may result in some lateral movement in the bracket 12, such lateral movement would not affect the operation of the tool.

Thus, what has been described is a novel and unique arrangement for adjusting a ski binding with a single tool which may then be collapsed for convenient storage.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations which satisfy many or all of the objects of the present invention may be possible within the scope and framework of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A tool for tension adjustment use in a safety release ski binding including a tension adjusting screw and a tension adjusting shaft, and a spring loaded collar for maintaining said tension adjusting shaftin fixed position with respect to a side wall, said tool comprising a handle portion including a first segment adjacent one end thereof and adapted to engage said tension adjusting screw, and a swivelable bracket portion adjacent the other end thereof, said bracket portion including an open cufi, said bracket portion in a first position adapted to engage said side wall with said open cuff engaging said collar for sliding said spring loaded collar back against said spring and thereby releasing said tension adjusting shaft for said tension, and in a second position for folding up against said handle.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bracket portion is swivelable over 270 of arc.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said segment comprises a thinner portion indented into said handle and positioned laterally thereto for orthogonal engagement of said handle relative to the long axis of said screw.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said indented portion is arcuate.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein said indented portion is semi-circular.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bracket portion open cuff includes inwardly protruding segments, and said handle includes indented side walls, said side walls adapted to receive said inwardly protruding segments with said bracket portion in said second position.

7. A tool for tension adjustment use in a safety release ski binding including a tension adjusting shaft and a spring loaded collar for maintaining said tension adjusting shaft in fixed position with respect to a side wall, said tool comprising a handle portion and a swivelable bracket portion adjacent one end of said handle, said bracket portion including an open cuff, said bracket portion in a first position adapted to engage said side wall with said open cuff engaging said collar for sliding said spring loaded collar back against said spring and thereby releasing said tension adjusting shaft for said tension, and in a second position for folding up against said handle.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said bracket portion is swivelable over 270 of arc.

9. The combination of claim 7 wherein said bracket portion open cuff includes inwardly protruding segments, and said handle includes indented side walls, said side walls adapted to receive said inwardly protruding segments with said bracket portion in said second position. 

1. A tool for tension adjustment use in a safety release ski binding including a tension adjusting screw and a tension adjusting shaft, and a spring loaded collar for maintaining said tension adjusting shaft in fixed position with respect to a side wall, said tool comprising a handle portion including a first segment adjacent one end thereof and adapted to engage said tension adjusting screw, and a swivelable bracket portion adjacent the other end thereof, said bracket portion including an open cuff, said bracket portion in a first position adapted to engage said side wall with said open cuff engaging said collar for sliding said spring loaded collar back against said spring and thereby releasing said tension adjusting shaft for said tension, and in a second position for folding up against said handle.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bracket portion is swivelable over 270* of arc.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said segment comprises a thinner portion indented into said handle and positioned laterally thereto for orthogonal engagement of said handle relative to the long axis of said screw.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said indented portion is arcuate.
 5. The combination of claim 3 wherein said indented portion is semi-circular.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bracket portion open cuff includes inwardly protruding segments, and said handle includes indented side walls, said side walls adapted to receive said inwardly protruding segments with said bracket portion in said second position.
 7. A tool for tension adjustment use in a safety release ski binding including a tension adjusting shaft and a spring loaded collar for maintaining said tension adjusting shaft in fixed position with respect to a side wall, said tool comprising a handle portion and a swivelable bracket portion adjacent one end of said handle, said bracket portion including an open cuff, said bracket portion in a first position adapted to engage said side wall with said open cuff engaging said collar for sliding said spring loaded collar back against said spring and thereby releasing said tension adjusting shaft for said tension, and in a second position for folding up against said handle.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said bracket portion is swivelable over 270* of arc.
 9. The combination of claim 7 wherein said bracket portion open cuff includes inwardly protruding segments, and said handle includes indented side walls, said side walls adapted to receive said inwardly protruding segments with said bracket portion in said second position. 